Review at Marton

Feilding Star, Volume VII, Issue 121, 23 March 1886, Page 2

Review at Marton

By command of Col. Sir Gt. Whitmore, K.C.M.Gk, a parade of the Marton, Palraerston, and' Feilding Rifles, and Eangitikei Mounted Rifles was held at Marton on Saturday last. The Palmerston and Feilding men went up by train. On arriving at the Marton railway station, the latter corps were marched to the drill shed in the township. On their arrival, they were dismissed for an hour. '- : :-' : 'Mt r * eleven o'clock " the assembly** was sounded, and the three companies were marched into Thurston's paddock, where the review was appointed to be " held. The Cavalry rode in shortly after, and were dismounted to give the horses a spell. Some time was occupied in sub-dividing the several corps so as to make four companies. When this was accomplished they were formed in line, the Cavalry on the right, to receive Col. Sir George Whitmore, who gracefully acknowledged the general salute which, was given in good time and with creditable ~ precision. The battalion was then formed into quarter distance column and marched past— in quick time and; at the double — the saluting standard at which Col. Whitmore and lieut.Col. Stapp were posted; The Cavalry then marched past in troops and in line. The Infantry were now formed in column of attack, the Marton Royal Rifles occupying the post of honor, being the senior volunteer corps in the colony. The attack was commenced, and continued with great spirit until the final charge of the whole line, when the position was carried at the point of the bayonet. The men were, re-formed into companies and marcheji back to their original position. The Marton Rifles went through the sword bayonet exercise very creditably. The companies were then marched in close column to the left of the mounted men, officers to the front, forming two sides of a square, when Sir George addressed the men. He expressed himself as highly gratified with the way in which they had turned out for inspection. He complimented them on their clean and soldierly appear^ ttnce, and said that if he compared them to the Grenadier Guards at Home they would not believe him, neither could they expect such a com* plunent, but they had the stuff in them which only required more opportunities of receiving drill instruction, to bring it up to a very high standard. He noticed, with pleasure, the number of young men in the ranks, but he could also see a number of old soldiers present, which proved that the sound of the drum still had' its' charms for them. He hoped to see them all at the Easter Encampment, at Wanganui. Col. Stapp followed with a few appropriate remarks and the men were marched off the ground to the drill shed, where they were entertained at lunch' by their Marton brothers in arms. At four o'clock in the afternoon the Mounted Rifles marched out of Marton headed by the Marton and Feilding; Bands, which played alternately. Arriving at the suburbs Capt Stevens halted his troop, and in a brief but telling speech thanked the bands for the compliment paid himself and men. He called for three cheers for "tKe-. -. bands" which were heartily given. The members of the bands, assisted by a large concourse of spectators returned the compliment vigorously. At five o'clock the Palmerston and Feilding corps fell in, and were marched out of town headed, by the Marton Band. When they arrived opposite the residence of Capt Skerman the corps halted and g tve him three hearty cheers. He thanked them for the compliment, and said' he. hoped soon to meet them again- at a similar reunion when they would-be-come better acquainted. TheUfcmmand to march was then given) and the corps arrived at thY railway, station a few minutes before the' arrival of the train. As soon as thelatter came alongside the platform the men were seated* and the train moved off to the strains of "Auld Lang Syne" played by the Marton' Band, with cheers and counter cheers from visitors and hosts. During the whole day there was not a single irontretetnpt. In the early part of the day but before the » review began, one non« commissioned officer, and two young lads 'were overcome "by the heat and fell oat of the ranks, but they soon recovered. The conduot of the whole . was quiet and orderly; ■* At- . though there was plenty of "gooi$ : ; ale" provided, there were no instances \ of indiscretion in that direction obserir- ' able. A number of men visited the, tent of the famous sword swallower ' and were much astonished. 0/ the Manchester Rifles fifty-three ofltcera and men .answered to their names. Only five men were absent, all of * whom were accounted fer. The strength of the other companies w# have been unable to ascertain Accurately ; but altogether there, jrdrb upwards of 200 men on the ground, not includingthe bands. Of the latter, we cannot speak too highly of L the Marton Band, which, under the leadership of Mr Kendrick played excellently. The band of the Manchester Rifles, under Mr Daw,, did good service as it always does. Themen of both corps were much pleased- ' with the hospitality shown by their brothers in arms pf Marton, and will ' not forget, when r their ; turn ; - come* ' next year, to : requite it -to the full. - >